Army Officer with Hand Grenade Triggers Security Alert at UK Airport
Passengers at Edinburgh Airport experienced a scare when an army officer brought a hand grenade for training purposes, leading to a security alert. Although the grenade was non-lethal and lacked explosives, authorities arrested the officer. He was granted bail with the condition to report regularly to the court.
A security scare yesterday unfolded at Edinburgh Airport when a British Army officer brought a deactivated hand grenade into the terminal, causing panic among passengers. The incident occurred on October 16, around 8:05 AM during routine scanning. Passengers raised an alarm upon seeing the grenade and police forces and the bomb disposal squad were sent to the airport.
The authorities later established that indeed, the grenade had no explosives in it but was probably to be used for a training exercise. However, its realistic design created a rumpus at the airport. The officer, who works with the Scotland Royal Regiment, has been named as 54-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Hugo Clarke, was arrested and released on bail under certain conditions to appear in court as required.
Clarke was reportedly away on leave, returning home from leave when the incident occurred. "There was no imminent threat at the time," said officials, "but if a real grenade were involved it could have been a complete disaster. As to why Clarke felt he needed to have a grenade, that is all still part of the investigation," officials added.
